Fruit pitting machine



April 27, 1965 M. w. LOVELAND FRUIT FITTING MACHINE 12 Sheets-Sheet 1Original Filed July 21, 1961 A INVENTOR.

April 27, 1965 M. w. LOVELAND FRUIT FITTING MACHINE l2 Sheets-Sheet 2Original Filed July 21, 1961 INVENTOR. M4! 0.4M M LOViM/Vfl ITTOINi/fApril 27, 1965 M. w. LOVELAND FRUIT FITTING MACHINE 12 Sheets-Sheet 3Original Filed July 21, 1961 INVENTOR. M44 to; M u, AOVilflA/D A ril 27,1965 M. w. LOVELAND FRUIT FITTING MACHINE 12 Sheets-Sheet 4 OriginalFiled July 21, 1961 Illl M. w. LOVELAND 3,180,477

FRUIT FITTING MACHINE ori inal Filed July 21, 1961 April 27, 1965 12Sheets-Sheet 5 April 27, 1965 M. w. LOVELAND 3,180,477

FRUIT FITTING MACHINE Original Filed July 21, 1961 12 Sheets-Sheet 6 INV EN TOR. M44504 4/. ZOI AZJA O April 27, 1 M. w. LOVELAND FRUITFITTING MACHINE l2, Sheets-Sheet 7 Original Filed July 21, 1961 m m m mw m W J u m W A M A ril 27, 1965 M. w. LOVELAND FRUIT FITTING MACHINE 12Sheets-Sheet 8 Original Filed July 21 1961 m nvsk April 7, 1965 M. w.LOVELAND 3,180,477

FRUIT FITTING MACHINE Original Filed July 21, 1961 12 Sheets-Sheet 947709/VIK5 April 27, 1965 M. w. LOVELAND FRUIT FITTING MACHINE 12Sheets-Sheet 10 Original Filed July 21 1961 INVENTOR.

M/VACOL/f (4 AOVIM/VD AffOP/Vi! April 1965 M. w. LOVELAND 3,180,477

FRUIT FITTING MACHINE Original Filed July 21, 1961 12 Sheets-Sheet 11 IG-20 :va -21 F16-Z2 FIG -2.1" FIG -24 Fla-2.6 FIG-26 Q HW L L INVENTOR.mvwzw Mum/1w eyglafiqu April 27, 1965 M. w. LOVELAND FRUIT FITTINGMACHINE 12 Sheets-Sheet 12 Original Filed July 21, 1961 k N i A W wINVENTOR. MALCOZM A). ZOVEMA/D arrow/5&5

United States Patent 3,18%,477 FRUIT FITTING MACEME Malcolm W. Loveland,Orinda, Calif., assignor to Atlas Pacific Engineering Company, acorporation of (Zalit'ornia Original application July 2i, 1961, Ser. No.125,785. Divided and this application June 15, 1962, 521'. No.

3 Claims. (Cl. 198-33) This case is a division of application Ser. No.125,735 filed July 2i, i961.

This invention relates to fruit pitting machines and particularly thoseadapted to the pitting of fruit such as olives, dates, prunes, plums,and the like. The machine is especially designed for high-speed,mass-volume pitting and, in this connection, one of the primary objectsis to provide a machine which is simple, rugged, and capable oftrouble-free operation for an extended period without requiring serviceadjustment or maintenance.

The machine of the present invention is relatively rugged and reliable,has relatively few moving parts as compared to machines knownheretofore, and requires a minimum of maintenance in spite of itstremendous output of processed fruit.

The invention is particularly directed to and will be described inconnection with the removal of the pit or stone from a fruit such as anolive which is of an oval shape in section and in which the pit iselongated and aligned with the major axis of the fruit. However, it willbe readily understood that the machine is useful for the pitting offruit having other than an oval shape, such as prunes.

Fruit pitting machines must be rugged and require a minimum ofattendance and maintenance when operated around the clock, day in andday out. Basic to the successful operation of a machine of this type isthe requirement that it pit the fruit with a minimum of either fruitspoilage, as occurs in mis-pitting, or fruit wastage, as occurs when thepit is removed together with an inordinately and uneconomically largeportion of the fruit. Finally, being possessed of all these desirablecharacteristics, the machine must additionally be capable of operatingat a high sustained rate of producing completely and acceptable pittedfruit. The machine of this invention fulfills adequately each of theserequirements.

Fruit pitting machines known and used heretofore have included springmounted fruit holders to provide flexibility in the timing of themovement of the pitting mechanisrn and the fruit conveyor. As part ofthe pitting operation, the spring mounted fruit holder is moved to anextent suflicient to compress the spring. This compression is etlectedby the pressure of the pitting punch on the fruit. The fruit is held ina position with the spring compressed until the spring can move thefruit along the coring knife and the pitting punch to separate the pitand its attached core from the fruit. Thus, the actual liberation of thepit from the fruit is efiected by the spring which must be strong enoughto pit the most resistant fruit. As a result, the fruit is forcedagainst the holder under such a pressure that the meat of the fruit iscompressed and so damaged. In addition, because of the substantialpressure exerted on the pit in the fruit, the pit is frequently split orbroken with the result that the entire pit is not removed, pit fragmentsremaining in the fruit. These difficulties are obviated in the machineof this invention.

An additional object of the invention is to provide a method of removingpits from fruit wherein the coring knife is driven upwardly into a fruitaligned in a supporting cup and held in position by a pitting punch withresilient back-up means to enable oversize pits to be removed withoutcrushing the fruit during the process. in addi- Bi ht-i? Patented Apr.2?, 1965 tion, this method of coring enables the pit to be removed withremoval of a minimum of the fruit flesh.

The invention includes other objects and features of advantage whichwill become apparent hereinafter wherein a preferred embodiment of themachine is disclosed. It will be understood that the form illustratedand described is that presently preferred and various other forms can beadopted within the scope of the appended claims.

Referring to the drawings accompanying and forming a part hereof:

FIG. 1 is a side elevation of the machine illustrating the major drivingmechanisms.

FIG. 2 is a front elevation with some portions broken away to illustrateparts otherwise hidden.

FIG. 3 is a plan view of the machine illustrating the relationship ofthe conveyor assemblies.

FIG. 4 is a longitudinal section of the machine showing the relativepaths of the conveyors and their related parts.

FIG. 5 is a transverse section taken on lines 5-5 of FIG. 4.

FIG. 6 is a side elevation of the vertical reciprocating assembly.

FIG. 7 is an enlarged section taken on line 77 of P16. 6.

MG. 8 is a detailed section of the pivotal connection between carrierbar and conveyor chain.

PEG. 9 is a transverse detail showing the horizontal reciprocatingassembly.

FIG. 10 is a bottom plan view of the assembly of FIG. 9.

FIG. 11 is a right side elevation of the punch and coring knife supportmechanism with its actuating cam and lever.

FIG. 12 is an elevation of the cam and linkage for operating the coringmechanism.

FIG. 13 is an elevation showing the mechanism for interlocking theconveyor and the pitting mechanism.

FIG. 14 is an elevation of the punch operating cam and linkage.

FIG. 15 is a detailed elevation, partially in section, illustrating thecam and linkage assemblies.

FIG. 16 is an enlarged elevational detail, partially in section, showingthe slidable mounting of the punch and coring knife support members onthe pitting mechamsm.

FIG. 17 is a detailed side elevation of the punch operating linkage.

FIG. 18 is a front elevation of the mechanism shown in FIG. 17.

FIG. 19 is a side elevation, partially in section, showing the pittingpunches, fruit receiving cups, coring knives and eiector plungers justprior to fruit engagement.

FIGS. 20 through 26 are a series of consecutive views illustrating therelative positions of the moving parts during the cycle of pit removal.

FIG. 27 is a diagram showing the sequence of movement of cooperatingelements during one complete cycle of operation.

The machine comprises a frame structure 10 made up of side plates 11 and12 secured together in part by a plurality of spacer elements 13, andsupported by braced leg members 1 A superstructure 16 is bolted to theupper front portion of plates 11 and 12 and comprises a pair of slideplates 17 and 18 topped by a transverse plate 19.

To provide a drive, motor 21 and speed reducing device 22 are mounted onplate 19 and a chain 23 is driven by sporcket 24 on the speed reducer torotate transverse shaft 26 to which are aifixed the cams controlling themovement of the pitting mechanism as will be related in detailhereinafter. Sprocket 27 is rigidly aflixed to shaft 26 and drives chain28 to rotate sprocket 29 and a double sprocket 31 attached thereto on anidler. 7

, ings 3'7 and 33 on side plates 11 and 12; the drive shaft has a pairof sprockets 35 mounted thereon to drive'the mainj'conveyor chains 41and 42 (FIG. 4). Toward the rear'end of the machine a pair of sprockets43 (FIGS. 3

and 4) are affixed to transverse shaft44- also journalled in side plates11 and 12 and extending through plate 11 and having sprockets 46 and 47thereon (FIG. 3). Adjustable idler elements 43 (FIG. 4). provide fortake-up of chains 41 and 42. Sprocketdfi (FIG. 1) drives tl1e hopperfeed conveyor through chain 51 and sprocket 52 fastened to shaft 53journalled in plates 11 and 12. Two

idler sprockets 54 complete the drive assembly, one of these beingadjustable to controlthe tension in chain 51 (FIG. 1). V V I a A pair ofsprockets (FEGS. 3 and 4) are afiixed to' shaft '53 for driving conveyorchains 57 and 58 which extend around pairs of idler sprockets and 61 atthe top and bottom rear of the frame machine structure to move the feedconveyor angularly upward over a pair of large idler sprockets 62supported on shaft 44. Outer sprocket 47 (FIG. 1) attached to shaft 44drives trans- 'verse' shaft 63 through chain 64. Centrally mounted on Anadshaft 63 is a rotating brush element 67 (FIGJB just able idler as isprovided for chain take-up.

Power for horizontal reciprocating movement of the conveyor feed chainsis provided by motor 71 supported on side plate 11 by'an adjustablemounting element 72 (FIG. 1'). A belt 73 connects the motor to theshaker of the cup interior is of an inverted conical configurationassembly drive. shaft 74. Power for the vertical recipro- 4, has anarcuate upper portion 88 mounted'on trans-, verse support members 89extending between side plates 11 and 12. A conveyor assembly 91 ismovable through the hopper and comprises a plurality of aperture bar;members 92 bolted to angle extension EiS'on chain 57 and. 5%. The hopperconveyor chains 57 and 58; pass up wardly over an inclined path fromidlers'l to sprockets ,7 62, moving the bar members 9211p inclined plate87. Fruit falls into the apertures 90 in bars 92 to be carried. past thebrush 67 to a point beyond the arcuate end 88 of plate 87 where theydrop into cooperatively positioned 1 cups in the main feed. conveyorassembly 96. Fruit which is not in a cup is swept back by the brush 67.p In the detail of the conveyor assembly 96 shown in FIG. 8, conveyorchain 41 has angle extensions 9.7 to

which members 98 are fastened by bolts 99 and washers 103 and 104. Aplurality of parallel spaced bars 101 are mounted betweenthe chains 41'and 42 in such a manner that a limitedfdisplacement. of the'ba'rscanoccur and so obviate friction between the bars and thechains lowingresults were obtained:

cent each end of rails 121 (FIG.'4).

and horizontal movement results in a substantial reduction in fruitwhich is cross-pitted and particularly fruit which is not pitted on itsmajor axis. For example, com paring the operation of a prior artmachinehaving only vertical movement with my machine providing movementin both a horizontal plane and a vertical plane, the fol-.

Vibration Di Both Planes Cross-Fitted fruit Fitting, axis, degrees tothe vertical:

The more perfectly pitted fruit obviously provides a bet ter product forthe market. 7 p

In the form of cup shown, the lower and major portion with oppositewalls converging at approximately to preferably at about 30, while theupper portion is flared outwardly in a curve fairing into the lowerportion. This configuration facilitates the orientation of oval fruit ina vertical attitude with its major axis in line with the axis of the cupand properly position for pitting. One can usea cup of any suitableconfiguration, but that described has given excellent results. 7

The cups 1118 (FIG. 8) are formed with an annular top flange 113% whichrests-on the carrier bar 1451. Each cup is aligned by an annularshoulder 111 fitting into counterbore 112; in the bar 101. Each cupincludes a tapered section 113 and a lower cylindrical portion 114fitting into bore 115 in bar 101 and having an annular recess 116 for asnap ring 117 to retain the cup in position.

The conveyor chains 41 and 42 move over a pair of laterally spacedoscillating'rails 121 (FIGS; 5, 6 and 7) which are pivotally supportedat 122 on the side plates 11 and 12 by angularly disposed link members123 adja- Transverse rods 124 and 126 are installed between the lowerends of each pair of links 123. Mounted on each of the rods 124 and 126intermediate the links 123 are a pair of brackets 127 bolted to guiderails 121. The forward rod 126 is sufficiently longer than rod 124 topass through slots 128 (FIG. 5) in side plates 11 and12 for attachmentof a pair of links 129 (FIGS. 1, 3 and 6) which are recipro-' cated uponrotation of eccentric bushings 131 which are afiixed to transverseshaft'132' journalled in bearings 1.33.

as the conveyor so provided is moved over its path. T his mounting ofthe bars is achieved by providing member 93 with a portion 1tl2fittingin aperture 11H? in the end of bar 161. The portion 162 is longer thanthe width of washer 103 and the end of thebar 101. V v p Each of thebars 101 is formed with a plurality of equally spaced apertures 1437having a generally'conical shape to accommodate fruit-aligning cups 193.The

the bar 101 and a clearance therefor exists between cups are designed toaid fruit deposited therein to align.

itself with its major axis vertical upon being subjected to vibratoryaction of. the mechanism for moving the cup simultaneously in both ahorizontal plane and in a ver-i I tical plane.

I have found that simultaneous vertical vcyor'assemblyduring operation.The rails 136 are ad justably positioned a short distance above chains41 and 42 and are supported by a plurality of arcuate fingers'137 Iwelded to plate 138 which is in turn bolted to rails 121.

A pair of supplemental guide rails 139 are provided forward and'in linewith vibrating rails 121. Rails 139 are supported by bracketso141mounted on transverse rod 142 extending between side plates 11 and 12,and a pair of forward spacer elements 143.

Means are provided approximately halfway between the ends of 'rails '121to impart an oscillating movement to the conveyor bars 1111intahorizontal plane (FIG. 9). This assembly comprises a member 146having downwardly depending bosses .147 with bearings 148 for slidableengagement with a pair .of spaced transverse guide rods 1 19 fastenedbetween side plates 11 and 12. A crank Vertical Vibration pin 151 (FIG.10) is mounted in body 1% to provide a pivot for coupling 152. on oneend of connecting rod 153, the rod 153 passing through opening 154 inside plate 11. A roller bearing drive fitting 155 is adjustably securedto the other end of rod 153 and is reciprocated by eccentric bushing 157on drive shaft 74 journalled in bearings 15$ mounted on side plate 11with spacers 159. A pulley i6]. affixed to one end of shaft 74 is drivenby motor 71 (FIG. 1) through belt 73 to provide rapid vibration of body146. Mounted on the top of body 1% are a pair of parallel guide bars orrails 162 having tapered ends 163 providing a channel for receiving thelower extremity of the T-shaped fittings 164 bolted to each mainconveyor bar 101. Thus, as the conveyor is driven over the shaker body146, a rapid vibratory movement in a horizontal plane is transmittedthrough the fittings 164 to cup-supporting bars Trill.

The rate of oscillation of the conveyor in either plane is in part afunction of the weight of the conveyor undergoing shaking and in part afunction of the size of the fruit. I have used speeds of from 1206 toabout 2400 oscillations per minute in each plane, excellent resultsbeing secured at about 1750 oscillations per minute.

Fitting mechanism support structure The pitting mechanism indicatedgenerally as res (FIG. 11) is suspended from a pair of transverse shafts167 and res which extend between side plates 17 and 13. Links 169pivotally supported on shaft 167 carry the forward end of mechanism reswhile cam-operated bell cranks 171 and 172 carry the rear end to providefor oscillation of the pitting mechanism.

The pitting mechanism 166 includes generally a pair of spaceddiamond-shaped side frames 175 (FIGS. 1144) with transverseinter-connecting members 183. Each of the side frames 175 includes alower ii-shaped element 176, an upper inverted V-shaped element 177, anda centrally positioned cross bar 178, all being provided with holes attheir opposite ends for receiving fittings 381 for pivotal attachment tothe support members 169, 171 and 172 (FIG. 11).

A vertical guide rod member 182 is mounted in the middle of each frame175 to provide support for the vertically reciprocating pittingmechanism. Saddle-like fittings 183 (FIG. 16) are secured by studs 184at the top, middle and bottom of each side frame to secure rod 132 tothe carriage frame members 176, 177 and 178. A transverse cross-barmember 1815 with split ends 187 is bolted to the bottom end of rod 182to interconnect the bottom portions of the side frames while a pair ofchannels 138 are bolted transversely across cross-bars 178 to completethe carriage structure. Roller elements 191 are fastened to each end ofchannels 188 by fittings 192 to run on tracks 193 bolted to side plates17 and 18 through angle brackets 1% (FIG. 16). Thus, lateral guiding andstability is provided during movement of the carriage assembly,preventing any possibility of misalign merit due to side sway.

Slidably mounted on the upper portion of rod 182 on each side frame is asleeve fitting 1% having a laterally projecting arm B7 bolted totransverse crossbar 19d supporting the punch assemblies (FIG. 16). Apair of sleeve fittings 231 are also slidably mounted on the lowerportion of rods 182. Fitting 291 incorporates a clevis-like projection2492 at its upper end with a pivot pin 263 for attachment of connectinglink 2233. An inwardly projecting arm 2% at the lower and opposite sideof fitting 2651 provides for attachment of a transverse member 2% inwhich are mounted coring knives 322 (FIG. 19). Memher 2% is providedwith bevelled cutaways 333 to assure against undesired piling up of pitsand cores. To facilitate replacement or exchange of the coring knives322 and support 2% as a unit, attachment is made to arm 2G4 utilizing aWoodrutf key 297 and a pin (not shown) which serve to locate the support296 in position in which it is retained by bolts 2%.

Control mechanism As is shown in FIG. 2, transverse shaft 26 isjournalled in bearings 211 mounted on superstructure side plates 17 andif, and has affixed thereto a plurality of cam disks, which control andsynchronize the osc llating movement of the carriage assembly, thevertical reciprocation of the pitting mechanism, and the interlockbetween the pitting mechanism and the main conveyor assembly. As earlierset forth, the pitting mechanism 166 is pivotally supported by a pair oflinks 169 and bell cranks 171 and 172. As appears in FEGS. i1 and 15,cams 212 and 212a are fixed to shaft 26. Each cam includes a contouredcam track 213 to control the fore and aft movement of the pittingmechanism res through cam follower roller 214 on upper leg 216 of thebell cranks 171 and 172 which are pivotally mounted on shaft 168.Pivotally fastened to lower leg 217 of bell crank 172 by bolt 218 and aneccentric fitting 219 is an extension 221 attached to pitting mechanismwe through fitting 151. Eccentric member 219 permits precise angularadjustment of the pitting mechanism into parallelism with the cup bars191.

Afiixed to shaft 26 are cams 222 and 222a for actuation of the earningknives, as shown in FIGS. 12 and 15. Each of cams 222 and 222a has acontoured cam track 223 for guiding a cam follower roller 224 attachedto a bell crank 22s and 226a. Each bell crank 226 and 226a is fixedlysupported on transverse shaft 167 by means of set screws 239 in hubs 231and is connected by pin 203 through a vertical link 228 or 228a to aclevis projection 292 on sleeve fitting 2'61 and 261a. Each bell crankassembly 226 comprises a generally triangular-shaped plate member 229having a hub 231 and provided with slots accommodating a pair of lockscrews 232 threaded into an adjustable lever arm 233, also pivotallysupported on shaft 167. Bell crank 22:? is fitted with two adjustingscrews 225, similar to those shown on levers 258a and 259:: (FIG. 17).These provide a single adjustment for both bell cranks 22s and 226a andenable the elevation of bar 2% and coring knives 322 to be altered andcontrolled. To achieve this, one loosens the screws 225 in the bellcrank 226a. The adiusting movement of bell crank 226:: is transmitted tobell crank 226 through shaft 167. Tightening screws 232 in both bellcranks lock them in a new position with bar 266 parallel to its formerposition. Thus, rotation of cams 222 and 222a results in verticalreciprocating movement of the coring knife support member 26-6.

Cams 23:5 and 236a are attached by screws 235 to the side of cam 222 and222a respectively to operate the interlockin mechanism between thepitting mechanism res and chains 41 and 42 of the main conveyor assembly96 (FIGS. 11, 13 and 15). A bell crank assembly 237 is pivoted on shaft157 for each cam. Each bell crank has adjustably fastened thereto alever arm 238 carrying a cam follower roller 239 riding over the surfaceof each cam. A compression spring 24-31 is positioned between a lobe 252 on arm 233 and a guide post 24-3 supported on bracket 244 secured totop plate 19. The spring urges roller 239 into positive engagement withthe periphery of each cam ass and 236a. Link member 247 connects an armon each bell crank 237 to a latch element 248 pivotally supported at 245on bracket 251 adjustably fastened to the pitting mechanism 166 by meansof slot 259 and bolt 181 (PEG. 13). Each latch 248 is formed with adownwardly extending tapered tooth 252 which fits between a pair ofrollers in the corresponding chain 41 or 42, as the pitting mechanism166 travels forwardly in synchronization with chains 41 and 42, thusinsuring true alignment of the cups 168, punches 303 and core knives 322(FIG. 19).

A pair of oppositely facing cams 254 and 254a are keyed on shaft 26 toactuate transverse bar 198 carrying the punch elements (FIGS. 14 and15). Each cam 254 and is formed with a contoured track 256, cooperatingwith follower roller 257 on lever arm 258, adjustably of theepunchcarrying bar 198. URES;17 and 18, bell crank-259a is welded to hollowshaft 261a journalled on shaft 167 while the hub of lever two parts foradjustment purposes.

2 vided between sleeve 229 and housing 2%.

7 V bolted to a bell crank 259. Bell cranks 259 and ZSJaare fixed tohollow shafts 261 and 261a respectivelyflournalled on shaft 167, whilethe hubs of levers 258'and 258a are pivoted on shafts 261 and 261a. Apair of connecting links 262 and 262a are pivoted at 263 and 263:; onbell cranks 259 and 252a and each link is fastened to cross-bar 198 by apin-264 extending through a pair of mounting blocks 266 bolted to thecross-bar 198 (see FIG.

The bell crank 259a is provided with a composite'adjusting mechanism topermit parallel raising or lowering As is illustrated in FIG- arm 258ais pivoted on shaft 261a. The cam following roller 257a is bolted to theupper end of lever 258a, and a link member 262a is pivotally supportedat 263a to actuate cross-bar 198. Adjusting screws 2&7 and 268 arethreaded into offset lugs 269 and 271 welded to lever 258a and bellcrank 259a respectively. Since the lower ends" A pair of screws 272'accommodated by slots 273 and 274 in each bell crank 259 and 259aprovide for locking the parts together after 7 adjustment. .To permitbell cranks 259 and 259a to be adjusted simultaneously, sleeve member275 is fitted to the inner ends of hollow shafts 251 and 2614: (FIG. 2and 18) and secured thereto by set screws 277. Having brought the twobell cranks 259 and 259a into the same position pitting machine, fluidis supplied'to trough 336 through a fitting 338 to flush the pits andcores into a Waste container, not shown. 7

As previously set forth, chainsl and, 42 are driven by sprockets 39,thus carrying the cup supporting bars 101 7 around an arcuate path to aninverted position where the fruit is forcibly ejected by a plurality offluid jets supplied froma pressure source (not shown) to a manifold 341adjustably mounted on a pair of support arms 342 Welded to spacertube13. The ejected fruit may be conveniently received in an inclineddischarge tray member 343, sup

ported at its rear by integral hook elements 344 and resting ontransverse angle bar 346, as best appears in 1 16. 4.

The empty conveyor assembly continues rearwardly overand under take-upidlers 48 to pass around sprockets 43 tobe in position for receivingfruit from the feed hopper.

- Fitting mechanism The pitting mechanism is comprised of two spacedrows of. punch assemblies 221 and cooperating coring knife and ejectorassemblies 292 (FIGS. 11 and 19). Each punch assembly 291 is mounted ina plate 293 fastened to transverse cross-bar 198 by bolts 294 (FIG. 2).A tubular housing 2% (FIG. 19) is formed with a. lower end por tion 297of reduced internal diameter and an annular flange 298 at the upper end;each housing fits tightly in an aperture 307 in plate 293 with theflanged end 298 fitting in annular recess 308.

A sleeve 299 is provided in the'houscoring knives and ejectors,comprises movement of the pitting mechanism from a rear position at anaccelerated member-313 which is in turn secured to plate 293. Theseveral springs in punch assemblies 291 positioned on plate 293' areeach: retained in position by member 313-when bar 293 with assemblies291 are removed from the machine. Thus, the entire assembly can bereadily exchanged or replaced by unscrewing only the two bolts 2%passing through-crossbar 19 8 (FIG. 2).

Each coring knife asembly 2&2 is mounted in one of the plurality ofspaced bores 315 provided in transverse member 206. Pressed into each ofthe boresllld is a sleeve 317 having an enlarged upper portion 318. Slidably disposed within sleeve 317 is a tubular member 319 having anannular shoulder 321 at its lower extremity and being counterbored andtapped at its other end to receive the threaded end of a hollow coringknife 322; the knife is retained by a washer 323 and lock nut 324 whichhold the .knife fast against the end of member 319. Washer 323 serves asa stop shoulder/to prevent member 319 from falling through the bore insleeve 317.. A plurality of pit ejector plungers 32d operate withincoring knives 322.

Each is mounted in a receptacle 327 in a cross member 328 to which theplungers 325 are secured by pins 329. Member 328 is removably fastenedatop cross-bar 1M by bolts 332. r

' Referring particularly to FIGS.- 3 and 11, means are provided forremoving apit adhering to a punch 303 or projecting beyond the upper endof a coring knife 322. This means includes rods 341 and 342 whichproject transversely of the machine at a suitable elevation to engageand displace a pit riding in the top end of the coring knife 322 asappears in FIG. 25 or adhering to a punch. Rods 342 are supported incantilever arms343 while arms 341 are supported'by cantilever arm 344.The arms are secured by a clamp structure 346 (FIG. 11) to a rod at 347a which extends transversely across the machine. Rods fi lland 342 areprovided in alignment but are spaced apart to permit T-shaped fittings164, (FIGS. 9 and 10) to pass between'the spaced ends of the rods. 7

Fitting operation V In operation, fruit is carriedforward from thefeeding hopper to the pitting station between the side walls of theframe structure by the conveyor assembly $5 (FIG. 3). Each fruit isquicklyand accurately aligned in a cup by the vibrating action providedby thesirnultaneous vertical and horizontal reciprocations. Theoscillating movement of the pitting mechanism 166, including the pittingpunches,

rate to a synchronized movement with the conveyor over approximately 180of the rotation of cams 212 and 212a followed by deceleration and returnto its rear position ata rate greater, than the rate of forward motion.The conveyor assembly moves forward at a constant rate, specifically twocarrier bars per cycle in the machine shown.

' Since the pitting mechanism provides for pitting two ading with itsend 301 fitting in and extending beyond the f end of the housing (FIG.19). The end 3h]: is threaded at 302 to receive pitting knife or punch303 which is 5.6-

Bushings 3% are pro- A' compres cured in position by lock nut 394-.

sion spring MP9 is mounted between endfi ll of sleeve 299 jacent rows offruit, the pitting mechanism movesforward v a distance approximatelyequal to the width of asingle carrier bar during pitting; The returnmotion of the pitting mechanismis accomplished during the forward travelof" onecarrier'bar, thus bringing shows the movement of eachunitaryoperating mechanism through a complete cycle.

In the machine of this invention, as shown in FIG. 21,

punch 3G3 first engages the upper surface of the fruit,

piercing the surface and holding the fruit in alignment in Z'the cupwith the punchspaced slightlyfrom the pit. The coring knife 322thenmoves upwardly to lift the fruit from the cupand along the punch until.the pit engages the endof the punch. The coring knife then pierces the9 fruit skin, continuing upwardly to cut a cylindrical core in thefruit.

It the pit is larger than normal, spring 309 may be compressed slightly.If the olive is completely misoriented and the pit is crosswise to theaxis of cup 108, then spring 399 will be greatly compressed to preventdamage to the machine.

When the coring knife has cut the pit free on the bottom half of thefruit, the supporting member 206 is dropped down approximatelyone-quarter inch to relieve any compression in the punch spring 309;this will be seen upon comparing the relative positions of bar 296 inFIGS. 22 and 23. The coring assembly 292, being slidably mounted inbushing 317, remains in contact with the pit due in part to inertia andin part to the friction of the flesh of the fruit on the coring knife(FIG. 23). The olive seats back in the cup with its pit positionedfreely between the coring knife 322 and the pitting punch 393. There isno pressure on the pit due to the core knife 322 or the punch 386, afeature distinguishing the present machine from those used heretofore inwhich the pit at this stage is jammed forcefully between the coringknife and the punch. The punch 3&3 then moves downwardly, pressing theolive into contact with the cup 108 only with sufiicient pressure tomove the pit from the fruit. The floating core knife suspended in thefruit prevents collapse of the lower half of the fruit as the pressurerequired to free the upper half of the pit from the fruit is transmittedto the inner conical surface of the cup 198. The punch forces the pit,core and core knife from the olive (FIG. 24).

While the punch is pushing the pit and core knife out of the olive, thecore knife support bar 266 is moving downward always about one-fourthinch in advance of supporting relationship with the core knife holder319 and washer 323 so that no pressure can be exerted on the pit betweenthe punch and core knife. The only pressure exerted on the pit duringpitting is that required to free the upper half of the pit from its gripon the flesh of the olive. The punch concludes its downward progressafter passage through the fruit and prior to that of the corer. Thepunch then starts upward, the corer continuing down a short distance,carrying the pit and core with the latter inside the hollow knife 322(FIG. 25). As the punch 393 returns to its upper position, any fruitwhich clings to the punch and rides out of the cup is removed by a pairof stripper rods 334. As is shown in FIG. 25, any pit projecting beyondthe upper end of a coring knife 322 or on a punch will engage one of therods 341 or 342. and be displaced. The core remains within the coringknife for ejection by the plunger 326 as is shown in FIG. 26.

Bar 206, the coring knife support, is at rest for the time required forthe carriage structure 166 to decelerate and begin its return movementwhereupon the hollow coring knife is moved downwardly over the ejectorplunger 326 to drive the pit and core out and away from the coring knife(FIG. 26). The delay in the ejector actuation is to the end that the pitand core may not be moved back into the fruit.

It will be apparent from the foregoing description that I have provideda relatively novel, improved, high-volume, rugged, and simple machinefor orienting and pitting fruit.

I claim:

1. A fruit conveying and orienting device comprising in combination:

(a) a fruit carrier having a plurality of fruit receiving cavities;

(b) horizontal rails supporting the carrier through a portion of itspath;

(0) rlneans for propelling said fruit carrier over said rai s;

(d) means for oscillating said rails vertically;

(e) a horizontally oscillating member adjacent the path of travel of thecarrier;

(f) a sliding connection between the carrier and the member whereby themotion of the member is transmitted to the carrier; and

(g) thereby imparting both horizontal and vertical oscillation to thecarrier.

2. The structure of claim 1 wherein each cavity has a generally conicalshape.

3. The structure of claim 1 wherein said member has a slot generallyparallel to the path of travel of the carrier and wherein the carrierhas an arm extending into the slot whereby horizontal oscillation istransferred to the carrier.

1. A FRUIT CONVEYOR AND ORIENTING DEVICE COMPRISING IN COMBINATION: (A)A FRUIT CARRIER HAVING A PLURALITY OF FRUIT RECEIVING CAVITIES; (B)HORIZONTAL RAILS SUPPORTING THE CARRIER THROUGH A PORTION OF ITS PATH;(C) MEANS FOR PROPELLING SAID FRUIT CARRIER OVER SAID RAILS; (D) MEANSFOR OSCILLATING SAID RAIL VERTICALLY; (E) A HORIZONTALLY OSCILLATINGMEMBER ADJACENT THE PATH OF TRAVEL OF THE CARRIER; (F) A SLIDINGCONNECTION BETWEEN THE CARRIER AND THE MEMBER WHEREBY THE MOTION OF THEMEMBER IS TRANSMITTED TO THE CARRIER; AND (G) THEREBY IMPARTING BOTHHORIZONTAL AND VERTICAL OSCILLATION TO THE CARRIER.